Kevin Blake
12.50 2015 LEOPARDSTOWN MEMBERSHIP MARES MAIDEN HURDLE 2M
Charles Byrnes looks to have strong prospects of kicking off this high-profile card with a winner courtesy of Crystal Pearl. The four-year-old made a promising start to her hurdling career in a juvenile maiden at Limerick’s Christmas meeting and with improvement very much forthcoming from that, she could well get the better of her elders here. Of her older opposition, the Robert Tyner-trained Table Tips showed consistent form in bumpers without winning and could make up into a better mare over hurdles.
Selection: CRYSTAL PEARL
Next best: Table Tips
1.20 LEOPARDSTOWN - RACECOURSE OF THE YEAR 2014 MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 4F
Another competitive maiden hurdle and preference is given to the Eddie Harty-trained Fletcher. The six-year-old shaped with promise in a point-to-point and a bumper before making an encouraging hurdling debut behind Windsor Park at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting. He seems sure to improve from that and is likely to take all the beating. The pick of the hurdling debutants could well be the Noel Kelly-trained Angus Milan following his two solid runs in bumpers at Downpatrick.
Selection: FLETCHER
Next best: Angus Milan
1.50 LEOPARDSTOWN KILLINEY NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 2) 2M 3F
It is disappointing that a race of this value hasn’t attracted more runners but in all likelihood, the Willie Mullins-trained Vautour scared off most of his rivals. The six-year-old was one of the leading novice hurdlers of last season and made a winning start to his novice chase campaign at Navan in November, but he really fluffed his lines when stepped up to Grade 1 company at Leopardstown last time. He just didn’t seem himself on that occasion and he is worth a chance to bounce back to winning ways in this weaker contest. The Mouse Morris-trained Real Steel is his only danger.
Selection: VAUTOUR
Next vest: Real Steel
2.20 BOYLESPORTS HANDICAP CHASE (GRADE A) 2M 5F
Ted Walsh won this race three years ago with Seabass and he looks to have strong prospects of winning it again, this time with Foxrock. The seven-year-old only found one too good in his bid to win the valuable Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and while this shorter trip isn’t ideal, he is still likely to make a very strong bid. Another to consider is the Tom Foley-trained Followmeuptocarlow. While the 12-year-old was a late recruit to the chasing ranks, he has been faring very well over the larger obstacles and appeals as being handicapped to run well in a contest such as this.
Selection: FOXROCK
Next best: Followmeuptocarlow
2.50 BOYLESPORTS HURDLE (EXTENDED HANDICAP HURDLE 0-150) (GRADE B) 2M
This is always one of the most competitive handicap hurdles of the season and this renewal looks typically difficult. While he wouldn’t have the profile of a typical winner of this race, a chance is taken on the Liz Doyle-trained Pairofbrowneyes. The six-year-old has only had three runs over hurdles but he seemed to improve for the drop to the minimum distance last time and there could well be more to come from him. Another with leading prospects is the Nicky Henderson-trained Snake Eyes, with the seven-year-old having finishing sixth in this race last season and made a winning seasonal reappearance at Sandown last month.
Selection: PAIROFBROWNEYES
Next best: Snake Eyes
3.20 LEOPARDSTOWN CLUB MEMBERS HANDICAP HURDLE 3M
This is another fiercely-competitive handicap and the one that takes the eye is the Tony Martin-trained Mydor. The five-year-old is progressing steadily over hurdles and gained his second win in handicap company at Fairyhouse last time. A 6lb rise for that may not stop him from winning again in this contest. The main danger to him could well be the Shark Hanlon-trained Usuel Smurfer, with the seven-year-old having won over this course and distance three weeks ago.
Selection: MYDOR
Next best: Usuel Smurfer
3.50 WWW.LEOPARDSTOWN.COM (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M
These races can often be fierce betting heats and previous winners of this contest include Finger Onthe Pulse, Hidden Universe, Waaheb and Jezki. Interestingly, a half-brother to and stablemate of Jezki makes his debut in this year’s renewal and the Jessica Harrington-trained Jett is sure to be popular. Market support for him would be very interesting. An obvious alternative is the Willie Mullins-trained Balko Des Flos, with him being a half-brother to the smart chaser Salut Flo.
Selection: JETT
Next best: Balko Des Flos